Interferometry and Laser Spectroscopy in Undergraduate Physics

麦卡莱斯特学院正在将干涉测量法引入 通过高级实验室课程的本科物理课程 激光光谱学和师生合作研究。 这是通过使用三种不同的 干涉仪：迈克尔逊干涉仪，高精度 球面干涉仪和大孔径平面平行 法布里-珀罗干涉仪 所有这些工具都用于 说明自由光谱范围、精细度和 激光光谱学课程中介绍的仪器配置文件。 利用迈克尔逊干涉仪研究了光学傅里叶变换 变换光谱学作为一个例子的权力和限制 已经变得如此普遍的转换技术， 现代科学 利用球面干涉仪研究了 不同激光系统的腔模，如He-Ne，染料， 二极管激光器 平面平行干涉仪作为一种高精度的 研究激光、原子蒸气和固体的高分辨光谱仪 状态光源。 后两项文书说明了 光学带宽的层次，从非均匀多普勒 气体的分布对单模增益限制带宽的影响 激光器 两台通用计算机控制和分析数据 新的工具。 图形编程语言允许 学生们可以快速有效地对这些计算机进行编程。 的 仪器支持教师/学生固态研究 光谱学、光纤光学和天文学， 光谱学课程不上课。 学院正在为该奖项提供同等数额的资金。

Macalester College is introducing interferometry into the undergraduate physics program through an advanced laboratory course on laser spectroscopy and faculty/student collaborative research. This is accomplished through the use of three different interferometers: a Michelson interferometer, a high finesse spherical interferometer, and a large aperture plane-parallel Fabry-Perot interferometer. All of these instruments are used to illustrate the concepts of free spectral range, finesse, and instrument profile introduced in the Laser Spectroscopy course. The Michelson interferometer is used to investigate optical Fourier transform spectroscopy as an example of the power and limitations of the transform techniques that have become so widespread in modern science. The spherical interferometer is used to study the cavity modes of different laser systems, such as He-Ne, dye, and diode lasers. The plane-parallel interferometer is used as a high resolution spectrometer to study laser, atomic vapor, and solid state light sources. The latter two instruments illustrate the hierarchy of optical bandwidths, from the inhomogeneous Doppler profile of a gas to the gain limited bandwidth of a single mode laser. Two general purpose computers control and analyze the data from the new instruments. A graphic programming language allows students to program these computers quickly and efficiently. The instruments support faculty/student research in solid state spectroscopy, fiber optics, and astronomy when the Laser Spectroscopy course is not in session. The College is matching the award with an equal amount of funds.4